Integrated Project Delivery: It’s Common Sense

I’ve written a couple articles about project delivery methods. (Check them out here and here.)

But there’s one method I haven’t written about yet, which is crazy because it’s my favorite. It’s called…drumroll please…

INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY!

Doesn’t that sound fun!?

Most homeowners don’t even know IPD exists but it’s quickly gaining popularity with building industry pros.

*project delivery method= the process (system) by which you get your house (or other structure) built!

Like I explained in “The BEST Way To Build Your House,” there are serious issues with the most common building delivery methods. For your convenience (and because I love you), I’m going to copy/paste them here.

The Problems

1) Architect and Homeowner design what the client wants but not what they can afford.

2) Architect and Homeowner ask a few Contractors to bid the project.

3) Multiple contractors spend a huge amount of time compiling their bid. They really want the job so they cut their contingencies too thin and plan for the bronze level materials and fixtures when you really wanted silver level. You can’t blame them, they know they’re in competition with other contractors.

4) Construction begins and the change orders are flying. The Contractor didn’t have all the information and now they need more money to build your project properly.

5) The Contractor, Architect, and Homeowner go on the defensive, protecting their position and financial interests.

6) The Homeowner gets disappointed. They have to cut back on some of the coolest aspects of their new home.

Blarg. What a crappy situation.

But fear not! Some smart people have found a better way and holy bajolies, it’s simple. I’m SO on board.

The Solution: Integrated Project Delivery!

1. Find a building professional you like. It’s best if it’s one of the major players like the Architect (hey there!) or Contractor. Hold on, let me say that again: find a building professional you LIKE. This is not about who’s the cheapest or most popular. It’s about finding someone you get along with and can trust. Someone who aligns with your priorities. Once you find that person, they’ll open the door to the rest of your team.

2. Build the rest of your team. Ask your first person for referrals and start interviewing. Again, choose people you LIKE. It’s not about being cheapest or most popular. You should feel comfortable that each person on the team understands your vision and goals. You don’t need a fully developed plan to start interviewing. In fact, it’s better to just have a basic outline. The number of team members depends on the location and complexity of your project. An example of a solid team is: Architect/ designer, Contractor/ builder, Structural Engineer, Mechanical Engineer/ Designer, Lighting Designer, and Civil Engineer.

3. Get everyone on the same page. It may be that the team slowly comes together in a piecemeal way. That’s ok. Just make sure that, as people are brought on board, they are introduced to the rest of the team and are clear on the project’s priorities. Including the budget and timeline!

If you have decided not to hire a project manager, you should expect to spend a lot of time fulfilling project management duties.

4. Create a design. Now that you have your team, use them. Architects are cool (duh) but they certainly aren’t experts in everything. Lean on your team to provide feedback through each phase of design. (Schematics, Design Docs, Construction Docs, etc.) They know your budget and your timeline. They know that if this design doesn’t meet your criteria, it’s back to the drawing board. You’ll need your team to figure out everything from construction budget to structural strategy to making sure there’s enough space for ductwork. It’s all important.

5. Build that shiz! The major players have been involved from the beginning. They can help you make informed decisions and can come from a place of trust rather than fear. This results in fewer delays and a greater likelihood of staying on budget and on time. The team members are less likely to place blame on others because communication has been a priority and no one is left in the dark.

Some things to remember:

1. Team members will need to be involved on a regular basis. It’s respectful and fair to pay them for their time. For example, don’t expect the contractor to attend schematic design meetings and provide their expertise for free. Their role is time-consuming. And trust me, if you pay them for their opinion early on, you’ll save money in the long run.

2. Consider contracts. You should have a contract with each team member that lays out responsibilities and expectations.

3. Prioritize communication. Your team is useless unless they’re all informed. Establish a process of communication and put yourself in charge of sticking to it. There is some amazing software created for this purpose but I love a combo of email, phone calls, video chats, and Dropbox. DO NOT text message. Texts get deleted after a while and it becomes impossible to recall conversations or decisions.

And voile! That’s it! Told you it’s simple. :)

Last Month on Social Media:

Oh that sweet moment when all the pieces come together. 🙌🏻 These plans are hot off the printer and ready for submittal. 📃 Building permit here we come! 😊

One of my California clients has started construction on their brand new house! 🏠 In a few months you should start to see a gorgeous Santa Barbara style home right where those stakes stand. 🛠 So excited to see our design take shape! 👏

My client wanted their living room to feel open and continuous out onto the deck. This huge multi-sliding door was exactly the what was needed! 👌🏻 Can you guess how wide this giant door is? 🤔

Woah, those windows make that Christmas tree look gooooooood. 🎄 Holidays at my parent's house are so much sweeter in a house of our own design. My favorite Christmas decorations are those stockings, handmade by my Mom. ❤️🌟 What's your favorite holiday decoration?

Merry Christmas from us! Husband and I have worn this same Halloween costume for 3 years in a row. 🎃🎅🏻 Plus, it can be worn at Christmas too! Now that's a minimalist's dream. 🤣Hope you're all enjoying a lovely holiday season.

This is Pantone's 2019 Color of the Year: Living Coral. Isn't it pretttty? 🧡In Pantone's words, Living Coral is "sociable and spirited. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression....Representing the fusion of modern life, Living Coral is a nurturing color that appears in our natural surroundings and at the same time, displays a lively presence within social media." ⭐️What do you think? 🤔 Can a color do all that?

Happy New Year to us! 🎊 Finally got permit approval and scaffolding is going up! So much happy dancing over here. 💃🏼 Time to turn this old gem into a respectfully renovated 7-unit apartment building. 🏢

When we moved in to our new house, we made sure to go through all our “stuff” before storing it away. 🏠I put aside my boxes of nostalgia to sort through slowly and last weekend I finally had the chance. 📦 And what do you know, I learned something! 🙌🏻I discovered so many forgotten diaries and sketchbooks. 📚 I’ve been keeping a diary since I was 9 years old! 📔 The entries are hilarious but they’re also a little sad.

I was a lonely, anxious kid. 😔 Sometimes I remember that feeling so strongly that it obliterates the other memories from my childhood, the nicer memories of joy and security. ☺️

But as I finished reading the diaries and sketchbooks, I moved on to the yearbooks. 📘 High School was not my favorite. 👎🏻 I remember feeling awkward and sometimes acting like a jerk. Not the greatest person to be around...But these yearbooks tell a different story. WHAATTTT!? 🤯I never thought the signatures in my high school yearbook could mean so much to me! ✍🏼 There were so many friends and teachers (yes, I’m a nerd🤓) who mentioned my kindness and sense of humor. That they appreciated my friendship and my character. 😃 There was, of course, the obligatory “have a great summer!”. But there was also the, “I’m really lucky to have a friend like you.” 💚 I was startled by the contrast between my memory and these messages.

As we move into this new year and my little family (2 humans 👫 & 1 very cute 🐶) move into our new house, I’m reminded of the importance of PERSPECTIVE. 🤔 The things you tell yourself are what you will remember. Do yourself a favor and make your internal message a good one. 💗

This is one my favorite parts of my job: picking finishes! ✍🏼 Our building team gathered at the showroom to decide on cabinets, countertops, and flooring. 🏠 SO FUN! 🤗

I was in the newspaper again last Sunday. 📰 WOOP! I dislike being the center of attention but I have to admit, I love this! 🤗It's a quick read (I'm the second business down). Check it out! http://bit.ly/2ADDkPs